Yesterday, July 19, 2021, the FOSM Trails Maintenance Crew hiked Gravel Pit, Crest Trail 130 South and Tree Spring trails to remove potentially hazardous fallen, hung up or leaning trees. A total of sixteen trees or portions thereof ranging in size from three to twelve inches in diameter were removed as follows; Gravel Pit - five, Crest Trail 130 South - eight and Tree Spring - three. All were either hanging into head-space, poorly supported or otherwise unstable. Some were in the "They will likely fall on the trail on their own soon, but we're here with the gear so let's address them now" category. A crosscut saw and other hand tools were used for this work.

An FYI - There is a large (eighteen inches diameter) dead spruce leaning into headspace over Crest Trail 130 about a half mile north of the Tree Spring junction. Removing this tree with hand tools would be quite time consuming and possibly hazardous. It has an easy walk-around. It was deemed appropriate to let time and gravity do their job and remove this tree if necessary when it eventually falls to the ground.

As usual now, the day was cool in the morning, warming up as the day progressed. The mountain continues to respond to the rains and seems to grow greener each day. Flowers abound and mushrooms are beginning to make their appearance.

The attached photo by Sally Lowder, taken on July 16, 2021, shows a classic two-tree hang up on Gravel Pit trail which was removed Monday.